8 Items to Keep Out of Your Entryway to Prevent Clutter

Your entryway is the first impression visitors have of your home, making it essential to keep it tidy and organized.

To help you achieve this, professional organizers share eight items to exclude from your entryway, such as excessive footwear and sports equipment. A cluttered entryway can quickly become overwhelming.

With the right decluttering strategies, you can create a serene and functional entrance that welcomes everyone.

1. All-Season Coats

Keeping coats for every season in your entryway leads to unnecessary disarray. Soon enough, coat racks can topple over, and movement becomes restricted, making closets less practical.

Ben Soreff, a professional organizer, points out, "Where there are coat hooks, people will hang coats. The issue? If you don't regularly check what's there, your entryway may start to resemble a cluttered museum."

He advises, "Instead of accumulating coats, focus on using them. Regularly assess your collection and store off-season items in a separate closet."

Karina Toner, operations manager, adds, "After reducing your entryway to just the current season's essentials, consider using an over-the-door coat rack to maximize your space. The Optish Over-the-Door Coat Rack from Amazon is sturdy and designed to protect your coats from damage."

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20 Pack Vacuum Storage Bags

We utilize these large vacuum seal storage bags to keep out-of-season or extra clothing and bulky soft items like comforters. By extracting the air, these bags greatly reduce their volume, allowing us to maximize storage, even under beds.

2. Hall Trees

While hall trees are a popular entryway choice, complete with hooks and shelves, they can become clutter traps without a sorting system.

Amy Bloomer, a professional organizer, states, "Though hall trees can be beneficial, they often turn into a dumping ground for various items as soon as you walk in the door."

She emphasizes the importance of establishing organizational systems to ensure every item has its designated place, which helps eliminate unwanted clutter.

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Set of 3 Collapsible Water Hyacinth Baskets by Lauren Mcbride

Utilizing baskets beneath your hall tree can help organize items. Assign one basket per family member, and if it becomes too full or won’t close, it’s time for a cleanup. Schedule a seasonal switch when the weather changes to keep things in check.

3. An Overabundance of Shoes

An entryway filled with shoes can appear chaotic and make finding what you need challenging.

Soreff explains, "Similar to coats, shoes can accumulate to the extent that you're overwhelmed by them – and many will just gather dust. Prioritize the frequency of use and keep off-season or sport-specific shoes in other areas, like a closet or garage."

Toner suggests minimizing mud by utilizing a boot tray with raised edges, whether in a mudroom, just outside the front door, or in the entryway itself. A boot tray like the SUPENUIN Heavy Duty Boot Tray from Amazon can significantly aid in keeping your entryway clean and organized."

For additional valuable tips, explore our guide on concealing shoe clutter in tight spaces.

4. Oversized Furniture

Large furniture pieces can obstruct entryways and create a cramped atmosphere.

Toner remarks, "Bulky furniture can impede movement and make a small area feel even more confined, detracting from the welcoming feel you desire. Opt for slim, multifunctional items like a narrow console table or a compact storage bench instead."

Plank+Beam Classic Console Table

Enhance your entryway with this classic console table, made from durable, knot-free solid pine wood. At 66 inches in length and just 12 inches wide, this slim table occupies minimal space and conveniently ships in one package.

Vasagle Entryway Storage Bench

This entryway storage bench combines comfort and functionality. Open compartments (9.4”W x 5.3”H) can accommodate shoes, while a larger compartment (10”W x 10.9”H) is perfect for tall boots. A small drawer provides storage for keys, wallets, or sunglasses.

Rosevell Entryway Console Table

This slim, industrial-style console table offers storage solutions while adding a rustic touch to your entryway. Its staggered compartments include three open shelves of different sizes for photos, ornaments, or storage boxes, plus two extra hooks for hats, umbrellas, or bags.

5. Excessive Paper Clutter

Piles of mail and documents can create chaos, and entryways often become dumping grounds for letters, magazines, and brochures.

Bloomer states, "Paper clutter can accumulate quickly and become overwhelming. I advise my clients to recycle unwanted catalogs and junk mail before entering their homes. Place magazines where you'll read them – like by the couch or on a bedside table – and make it a habit to recycle them immediately after reading. If you need to save something, take a photo and discard it."

Toner recommends using a wall-mounted holder such as the Dhmkfly Store 3-Slot Mail Sorter Organizer Wall Mount from Amazon, explaining, "This stylish organizer keeps your mail and keys neatly arranged with separate compartments."

For additional insights on organizing papers and magazines, check out these common living room organization mistakes.

6. Unwanted Packaging

Don’t allow boxes, bags, or other packaging to pile up in the entryway. Remove them to recycling or a designated storage area immediately to maintain tidiness.

Bloomer explains, "With the rise of online shopping, cardboard can quickly overwhelm your entryway. It's crucial to remove excess packaging from items like toilet paper, medications, and non-perishable foods as they arrive. Once you recycle that cardboard, you’ll discover you have far more space to enjoy!"

7. Unnecessary Decorations

Even with the best entryway styling tips, too much decor in a small entryway can create a cramped feel. Limit yourself to one or two functional or seasonal pieces to keep the space inviting.

Toner advises, "Your entryway is generally compact, and an excess of items can make it feel cluttered. Instead, utilize vertical wall space for decor and restrict items to a few meaningful pieces. This Homode Store Wall-Mounted Entryway Shelf with Hooks from Amazon is both attractive and functional."

8. Sports Equipment

Sports gear can be large and messy in an entryway.

Toner notes, "Athletic clothing and equipment can clutter your entryway and bring in dirt. It’s better to store sports items in the garage, mudroom, or an allocated closet."

"The Kinghouse Sports Equipment Organizer from Amazon is great for neatly storing sports items in one place, making it ideal for garages or mudrooms."

In conclusion, these eight items should be kept out of your entryway. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can maintain a streamlined and inviting first impression for your home.

Next, explore these five entryway organizing mistakes to enhance your home's welcoming atmosphere.